APRIL

FINALLY A BREAK
If it's possible, I think that I was more excited for spring break than anyone else in the family.  I just wanted to sleep in, clean the house and relax.  I would have been quite happy to go nowhere and do nothing!  The boys did not like my plan because they felt like "everyone" was going to do something fun except for them.  A compromise- I gave up two days of doing nothing and the boys got a 24 hour mini vacation.  I have to admit, it was a little more fun than sleeping in and cleaning.

First stop: Real Salt Lake vs. BYU




This game was a 'friendly' between 2 of our favorite teams and a freebie with our 7 peaks passes.  I was a little unsure how it would turn out because of the rain and wind, but it was actually kind of fun.  We cheered for both sides, didn't get too wet, and had pretty great seats, too. 

Second stop: Shiloh Inn
After the game was over we headed to Salt Lake and checked in to the Shiloh Inn.  Our kids love to stay in hotels- not sure why, but they do.  We watched TV, swam a little and sat in the hot tub, and then enjoyed a small continental breakfast in the morning.

Next stop: Hogle Zoo





After checking out of the hotel, we headed up to Hogle Zoo.  We spent a couple of hours wandering around and checking out the animals. I think that every time we go to the zoo, my kids want a picture with this gorilla statue.

Last stop: Buffalo Wild Wings and Scheels

Everyone was starving when we left the zoo and we couldn't decide where to eat.  Z was also dying to go to Scheels in Sandy.  On our way there we saw this place and since we had never been there, we decided to give it a try.  The food was okay, but we probably won't go again anytime soon- too much $$$.  Z loved it and still talks about all the TV's that he could watch soccer on.

Taking funny photos at Scheels.

After Scheels, and almost exactly 24 hours later, we headed for home.  

Our mini vacay was over- back to sleeping in and cleaning.

GENERAL CONFERENCE
One of the great things about April is General Conference.  It is always such a blessing to hear from our church leaders.  These 4 got tickets to go up to Salt Lake to the Conference center for the Priesthood Session. 

SPRING SOCCER
I truly love to watch my boys play soccer.  I love sitting on the side line with the other parents.   I love cheering for their teams.  I love seeing great soccer and watching the boys get better and better.  However, the weather this spring was almost enough to keep me at home.  At several games I hid in the car as long as I could.  It was COLD, and WET, and WINDY, and COLD.  We put up the Sportsbrella and wrapped up in blankets and coats and still, some games were just plain miserable.

J coached T's team this spring.

Love the sun- one of our few warm games.

 Z is on the far right.  His team always claps for the crowd after the game.

TRIP TO VERNAL

One of Z's games was in Vernal, a long drive for a 90 minute game.  Because we had to go so far, we decided to check out a few places of interest.  We went to Dinosaur National Monument and also the Vernal temple.

We only had time for a short hike.  Here the boys are looking for fossils in the cliff wall.

 Inside the visitor center at Dinosaur National Park.

The Vernal Temple

Boys on the front steps of the temple.

Just being silly.

FINALLY

It has been a LONG three years, but finally- graduation!  I never would have made it without the help of my family.  There was a lot of hard work, late nights and sacrifice from everyone but we did it together.

We checked the boys out of school for the graduation ceremony.  

I think they learned that graduations are long and boring.

 

8 YEARS OLD 

   Our littlest family member is 8 years old.  Happy Birthday S!  He is so excited for all of the things that being 8 will bring like getting baptized and going to scouts.











 The ongoing tradition- S picks a cake and Aunt Tamra does her best to deliver.  She always does a great job.  I thought this truck turned out pretty cute and it tasted delicious, too!

My cake doesn't look nearly as good, but I think it tasted okay.  We brought this cake to Grandma Lynn and Grandpa Jack's house to celebrate. S put the candles in himself.  They aren't melted, he just pushed them in as far as he could.

Aunt Sara and Aunt Susan gave S money for his birthday.  He had to find all of the dollars by unrolling 3 huge balls of yarn.  They are always so creative!

 Super excited to be a cub scout!

MARCH

TOOTHLESS

S is so happy to finally be losing some teeth.  Most of the other kids in his class have lost quite a few- he has been behind the other kids.  Finally though, the next two have fallen out with another loose one on top.  We did have a little drama because one disappeared when he was eating Oreo cookies.  We don't know if he swallowed it, or spit it out in the sink when he was brushing his teeth.  Needless to say, we kept track of that second one pretty closely.





THE WAX MUSEUM




The 5th grade wax museum was this month.  T had to choose a famous, dead, American to do a report on.  He wanted to do a soccer player, but information was lacking so he chose Brigham Young.  On the big day he had to dress up like Brigham Young and stand perfectly still like he was made of wax until someone pushed his "push" button.  When the button was pushed, his wax self came to life and gave a small, memorized speech.  "I am Brigham Young...."  T did a great job!







As part of the wax museum, the 5th graders sang some songs about America.  T had a small part to say at the beginning which was something like this: "In 1787 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the constitution of the United States was signed and became the law of the land..."



EASTER SURPRISES

For us, Easter isn't really about the Easter Bunny.  We don't do Easter baskets or color eggs.  We try to enjoy Easter Sunday at church and to put our focus on what Easter really means- remembering our Savior Jesus Christ.  We also like to spend the day with family, having fun together and enjoying the beautiful weather.  That being said, I always get the boys a new tie and I try to give them a gift. This year it was sports equipment, they each needed something different.

For Z- The orange cleats that he has been begging, pleading, whining and pouting over.  Also candy and a new tie for Easter Sunday.































For S- New baseball cleats.  He hadn't been asking for them, but with baseball season fast approaching, he definitely needed them.  Also, candy and a new Easter tie.

For T- A catcher's mitt, because he played catcher last year and loved it.  He hopes to play catcher again and really wanted his own mitt to practice with.  He also got candy and a new Easter tie.

FEBRUARY

BASKETBALL SEASON

T loved playing basketball this year for the Sun Devils. He was number 23. He loved playing defense but hated playing point guard. He scored a few baskets, had a few steals, and a lot of rebounds. Most of all he had fun and was a great team player.

T playing the point

Going for the rebound

A dunk?  I don't think so.
Nice effect though, with the tongue and all.

T messing around.


















Z was number 10 on the Rebels this year. He played well, scoring a few buckets and getting some great rebounds. Of course, soccer is his first love, but he still did a great job.

Defense

Looking for the pass

Poor baby! Mom didn't sign him up in time so he didn't get to play on a team. Lots of tears and sadness- For sure won't make that mistake again!







FUTSAL

Time for indoor soccer again.  Z's team plays futsal every winter.  It's a great way to get some soccer in, and to get back in shape, and the team did pretty good this year.

Z (7) waiting for the pass from Josh (4)

JANUARY

ELEVEN

Celebrating T's 11th and Kenna's 9th birthdays at Grandma's house.

 It's hard to believe that T is 11. He is growing up so fast. I am so thankful for his cheerful demeanor. He is so easy to please and always relaxed and happy. He works hard at school, loves scouts, and is in heaven if he can just sit in front of a video game all day. His laugh is contagious, even when he is laughing over something that really isn't that funny. He brings so much joy and laughter to our family and I am so thankful for that. Sure love him! Happy Birthday T!!

LOTS OF SNOW

We had loads and loads of snow and very cold temperatures this month.S spent as much time outside as he could. He loved shoveling snow off the sidewalks and the trampoline, and even off of the carport.  He loved sledding and playing with friends.  Wet clothes and cold, red, little hands were the norm almost every day.  Gloves only lasted as long as they were convenient.  If they got in the way, they were quickly abandoned.  When the temps were in the negatives, he had to stay inside which was not pleasant for any of us, but we survived.


PUZZLE



 J got a puzzle for Christmas. He and S spent many nights sitting in front of this puzzle trying to get all of it together. Each member of our family put in at least one piece, but J and S were the 'die-hards'- they get the credit. Guess who found the missing last piece though...?

DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS CARD PHOTO
Christmas was getting close and we didn't have a photo for a card. With a little snow and even less daylight we ran to the park, set up the camera on the automatic timer, and got a few shots that would work. These were the two best pics.

FAMILY PARTY

Waiting for a special guest

...and here he is.

Talking to Santa

That's a lot of kiddos!

Our Christmas tree this year- 2012.













CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY
Great Grandma and Grandpa Bird didn't do their usual party this year. Instead Aunt Sara and Aunt Susan planned a fun Christmas Eve dinner and activities. We had fun playing games, listening to music and eating. We also put our hands to work and did a little craft. Everyone made a snowman out of model magic for the Christmas village. Here is the results of our handy work.

It was a really nice day. Another tradition that we have is pajamas on Christmas Eve, but this year we made a slight change. The boys don't really wear P.J.'s to bed anymore-they prefer ball shorts. Knowing that they have more than enough ball shorts, I opted for warm-up pants and under armor shirts, and they work just fine for PJ's, too.

**Notice that S doesn't look that happy. He had a very upset tummy and didn't feel well at all. Not fun to be sick on Christmas!

Guess he's feeling better this morning!

Opening gifts

Happy boys with their gift from Santa and their very fun hats!